Pacific Rim Bureau (CNSNews.com) - The Australian government is risking the ire of population-control advocates by urging -- and offering incentives for -- citizens to have more children. Announcing the conservative government's federal budget, Treasurer Peter Costello, the minister responsible for economic and fiscal policy, unveiled a "family-friendly" $13.3-billion package that for five years starting in June will pay couples $2,000 for each new baby born. The budget also made provision for maternity payments, family tax credits and an increase in the number of subsidized after-school childcare places. Costello, widely regarded as a prime ministerial hopeful when John Howard finally...
